Police charge second suspect in convenience store theft

January 17, 2013

SARANAC LAKE - Village police have arrested a second suspect in the theft of $2,500 from a local convenience store.

Margarita W. Bonet, 22, of Saranac Lake, was arrested at 9:12 a.m. Wednesday and charged with second-degree burglary and fourth-degree grand larceny, both of which are felonies, and fifth-degree conspiracy, a misdemeanor.

Police Chief Bruce Nason said Bonet conspired with Robert W. Cruz, 26, of Saranac Lake, to steal $2,500 cash from a convenience store where Cruz was working on Nov. 25, 2012. Nason declined to name the store.

The chief said Cruz and another person were working in the store when the other employee went to a different area of the building. Cruz then allegedly contacted Bonet, who entered the store from a back door, took the money from the counter in an office and left, Nason said.

The investigation is ongoing. Nason said police are attempting to verify some additional information to determine if anyone else was involved in the theft.

Bonet was arraigned in village court and remanded to the Franklin County Jail in lieu of $10,000 cash or $20,000 bond.

Cruz was arrested Tuesday on similar charges. He was arraigned and sent to jail in lieu of $10,000 cash bail or $20,000 bond.